The grand opening of Wichita's first public skate park took place on Saturday, October 15, 2005. The event was sponsored by Fly 92.7 FM, Kingpin Skateboard Shop, Home Depot, the Flight Deck Grill inside La Quinta Inn & Suites, Pepsi and the City of Wichita. Activities included an official "Ribbon Cutting" ceremony, giveaways, drawings, concessions, entertainment and free T-shirts that commemorated the event for the first 500 people that attended.
One of the highlights of the event was a skateboarding demonstration by professional skaters Darren Navarette, Alex Horn and Josh Perkins -- the "Creature Team" that travels the nation to compete and entertain with their skills. Darren Navarette is the team manger and considered to be one of the most successful "vert" skaters or vertical, half-pipe skaters. He was recently featured on the cover of Thrasher magazine. Alex Horn is a solid pool skater that impresses with his unique style and tricks. Josh Perkins is the youngest team member and considered to be an up-and-comer.
"We are very excited that this is finally happening," said Doug Kupper, Park and Recreation Director. "There has been a lot of years and dedicated citizens working to make it happen...some of our skateboarders now have kids of their own and they want a place to take them," he said.
"I never throught this day would actually come and I'm really stoked," said Scott Hearne, a member of the skateboarding committee that has worked on this project for over 10 years." "Skateboarders need a place to skate and this unique park gives us something that we can all be proud of and will always be here," said Hearn.
View the Grand Opening photo gallery in PowerPoint here.
If you do not have PowerPoint, click here.